I know that 100 posts isn’t anything exceptional, especially when you couple that with the fact that I joined in June of 2004. I feel guilty because I know how lurking is discouraged, and that you can’t get much worse that 100 posts in almost 30 months, so I want to apologize. I’ve used Hatrack as a tool to measure what people really think about the news and the world. I usually read the newspaper, CNN and BBC news, and then come here to see what you people think. I want to thank you all for having such a high standard of discussion here, and I am sorry for not joining in.
I know I speak for many lurkers in saying that you guys can be intimidating! I was afraid to offer my two cents quite often because I felt that I would sound naïve. Some of the arguments you have concocted are so well worded and well argued that I felt that I could make no contribution of any significance. I would spend all night catching up on a lengthy discussion only to feel stupid.
So I promise to delurkify myself and contribute and learn and grow. I am sorry. And thank you all.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
I sympathize. There are times when I definitely do more lurking than I really should.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Welcome, sort of.
I'm not aware that anybody really frowns on lurkers. But most longtime Hatrackers are happy when someone finally does DE-lurk. Certainly no apology is warranted, though.
*whispers* (and now i feel worse about almost jumping all over your case yesterday . . . )
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I agree with Icky. I like to tease people I know about lurking, but I lurked for a while before I joined as well. Sometimes I still do, if I am not in the mood to type.
It is a good thing that you have been around so long....just let the rest of us get to know you, ok?
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
You should meet some of us in person.
If you think we're intimidating here, you should see us when we've had pizza and stayed up all night playing games.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
Really, you needn't be intimidated. Your writing is fine as well.
I look forward to seeing you around more often.
- Ex-lurker
Posted by The White Whale (Member # 6594) on :
Thank you guys.
And I live in New York (state, not city), Northern NY for college and Rochester for breaks. Although I will be there until September because I'm on a co-op there.
And Icarus, don't feel bad. It was then that I realized that I had to make myself known and not just be some random poster.
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
Hi! I lurked for several years before I started actually posting and even now I think I lurk more than I post. I know what you mean about it being intimidating, but I think the only way to improve at expressing your views is to practice. Another thing to keep in mind is that just because nobody responds, that doesn't mean nobody noticed or appreciated your post. I've frequently been moved/ impressed by a post and seen nobody (myself included) respond to it. I'll try and keep an eye out for your posts now. Posted by katdog42 (Member # 4773) on :
White Whale, I understand. It took me a long time to post much because I didn't want to sound stupid or childish but I love to see what people around here think. I've been here for years and only just beginning to delurk. Hope you can join in more. Kat
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
White Whale, I know exactly how you feel. I still post sometimes, but I know that I lurk more than I post, especially lately. A lot of the time I would just rather listen to what people are saying and then talk to them individually. Still, you should really meet some of us in person. The few people I've met are incredibly cool and I recommend you at least talk to some of us on AIM or MSN. My sn is the same as my user name here. You can talk to me any time.
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
quote:And I live in New York (state, not city), Northern NY for college
Hey, me too! I'm going to Skidmore, in Saratoga Springs. It's about forty minutes north of Albany. Where are you going?
Also, on the intimidation front. I've got 2000 posts, many of which have been in political threads, and I still feel intimidated by a lot of the people here. I'll often post in a thread, just to get my two cents out and practice writing it, and then not go back and continue to argue my points -- either cause I don't have the energy or cause when I read the responses, I have to concede defeat. I'm getting better about it though! I find the only way to get better at a thing: practice it. So here's to de-lurking and practicing your posting Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
<-- Not a lurker. <-- Has no problems with the lurkiness.
To each his own style. Nice to get to know you better.
Posted by The White Whale (Member # 6594) on :
Alcon, I attend Clarkson University (in Potsdam), which is very, very north. Ottawa, Canada is about an hour away. One of my suitemates lives in Saratoga Springs. He's got the same name as an old president. Ring any bells?
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: <-- Not a lurker. <-- Has no problems with the lurkiness.
To each his own style. Nice to get to know you better.
You are a lurker, Tante.
IRL.
Look at her post count, people, if you don't beleive me! Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Oh, I'll pass you yet someday, Kwea.
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
Nope. It's not likely to either. I'm originally from Bloomington, Indiana (there's a whole clump of us from there here). I just go to school at Skidmore.
I was just up in Potsdam a few weeks ago though, with the swim team. We were swimming against... umm... Potsdam (College? University? I never pay attention to these things ). I think we swim against Clarkson eventually to, not sure when though or where. Maybe during Liberty Leagues?
![[Wave]](graemlins/wave.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
). I think we swim against Clarkson eventually to, not sure when though or where. Maybe during Liberty Leagues?